Kyrie Irving and the Dallas Mavericks are going to go a long way this season. During the preseason games, the Mavs were struggling to get a grip of themselves losing three out of four matchups. Obviously, Irving wasn’t in the picture as much as he had to deal with a groin injury. But things have turned around since the start of their 2023-24 regular season. Dallas is currently 6-1 in the Western Conference.
Fans have noticed that Irving is experiencing a slight dip in statistics. So far, he’s averaged 20 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game. The Mavericks have also reduced his role to assisting Luka Doncic around the perimeter and in ball facilitation. Some fans seem upset seeing Irving take on this role but most fans are happy because it’s helping the team win. One fan said, “The Mavs offensive is literally peaking having KYIRE being able to attack closing out defenders and weak side defense he doesn’t need to force shots! I don’t understand why we are upset.”
The mavs offensive is literally peaking having KYIRE being able to attack closing out defenders and weak side defense he doesn’t need to force shots! I don’t understand why we are upset
— CEanalysis (@CEtalks) November 6, 2023
We for the team to actually win, he’s gonna have to play like this. I like this from him tbh, he’s playing in a team setting, to win. Not for his stats or highlights.
— Xain (@Xainlol) November 6, 2023
Another fan also said, “We for the team to actually win, he’s gonna have to play like this. I like this from him tbh, he’s playing in a team setting, to win. Not for his stats or highlights.” It is great that the entire fanbase supports the Mavericks’ decision to change Kyrie Irving’s role. Last season, he was allowed to be more of himself which had him take more shots and run the offense. But with this new role, the Mavericks are one game behind the top stop in the West.
Kyrie Irving inches closer to the league’s Top 100 Scorers despite drastic change in roles
This season is expected to be extremely competitive with most teams debuting their new star studded lineups. Dallas did not make any heavy adjustments during the off-season besides acquiring Grant Williams, and Seth Curry, and re-signing key role players such as Josh Green. According to the Mavericks’ owner, Mark Cuban, several players besides Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic were responsible for their downfall.
Cuban claimed that not all players were as dedicated as the superstar duo were to their roles. Additionally, he stated that Kyrie knew exactly what he needed to do to help the Mavericks win. And it meant that he took a step back from being a primary option to allow Doncic to be the leader. Interestingly, Cuban’s words are being reflected by the changes the Mavericks are dealing with at the moment.
Despite the role change, Kyrie Irving is still making a push to break records. Dallas recently took on the Orlando Magic and secured their sixth win of the season. Irving scored 21 points during the game only to move up the all-time scorers list. He passed Chauncey Billups to occupy the 128th spot on the list with 15,802 points. Irving is projected to make the top 100 by next season.